automotive.com chooses five cars that it calls "half-breeds." One is the MINI Cooper. Here's why:
What: Mini Cooper
Mutt Credentials: Tea and Crumpets Meet Brats and Sauerkraut
The Mini has been pleasing drivers since the little car first debuted in 1959. Through the decades the brand was bought and traded among British automakers, until BMW acquired it in the ’90s. Wanting to keep Mini’s retro-iconic style but in a more modern automobile, BMW set its design team to work on a new Mini.
The end result was an accessibly priced ride that was modern, spunky, and long on thrills, pairing Mini’s decades-established cool with German sensibility. Mini’s interior is surprisingly roomy, and Clubman and Countryman versions allow for a few of your friends to tag along for the zippy ride in comfort. Like BMW owners, Mini’s can appreciate high-resale values and overall quality. The base 1.6-liter engine offers enough power while remaining fuel efficient, and those craving even more oomph can opt for a turbocharged version.
